Gov. Chris Christie (right) meets with residents Wednesday in Toms River where he spoke about the Sandy Working Families Living Expenses Voucher Program. / THOMAS P. COSTELLO/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

AT A GLANCE

Sandy victims who need help or have questions can visit www.renewjerseystronger.com, which details grant opportunities and lists addresses for county centers. People can reach the call center at 1-855-SANDYHM (726-3946) during normal business hours.

More

ADVERTISEMENT

TOMS RIVER — H. Alton Neff still doesn’t know 16 months after superstorm Sandy whether he will live in his Brick home ever again.

But for a man with an unclear future, he feels he can breathe.

That’s because when he sought help from the state through the Sandy Working Families Living Expenses Voucher Program, the Brick senior citizen received what he needed — $2,100 to help pay his rent and utility bills.

Gov. Chris Christie met with Sandy victims in Toms River on Wednesday, shifting focus from the voices of concern a day earlier in Galloway, where the state’s handling of billions of dollars in federal recovery aid was criticized. Christie highlighted an underutilized program that has helped 7,300 people such as Neff, who is pleased with the governor’s post-storm response.

The program commonly dubbed SHRAP has surpassed the $11 million mark, and with $57 million initially set aside for the recovery program, even more people can find help if they just apply, Christie announced during a news conference Wednesday in Toms River.

“I want every one of those dollars spent to help families in this state, and I don’t want us to be reluctant to come forward and ask for help,” he said.

SHRAP is one of very few programs that hasn’t been too overloaded with applications to demand a waiting list, such as the Homeowners Resettlement and Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation grant programs.

It offers up to $15,000 to people for current or past-due rent or mortgage payments, current or past-due utility payments and certain essential furniture and appliances. As of Monday, Ocean County has distributed $6.9 million in assistance to 3,703 people, state officials said.

After Sandy, Pat Gabriel, 68, and Dorian Fiore, 65, found their Manahawkin home underwater and themselves under stress. But through SHRAP, they received $8,200 to help with four months of mortgage payments, various utility bills and some necessary household items.

“These are your necessities. You don’t want to be evicted from your home,” Fiore said, adding they can save their money to help rebuild their home.

Neff said he suggested to the governor that the state have separate lines for people at the help centers for initial applications, which take about an hour, and others for the five-minute updates.

“I think the governor is open to all reasonable suggestions and is willing to implement them in order to provide the support for the citizens of this county,” he said.

Christie also announced Wednesday that Ocean Inc. in Toms River will open as a third help center for victims. Other centers are in Stafford and Brick.